Zeaxanthin is a very important nutrient and there are a variety of sources to get it. Firstly the main reason this mineral is crucial to someone’s health is because the body can’t make it. So someone has to go out and acquire it from other sources. The easiest method to receive zeaxanthin as you probably already know has to do with foods.
Raw Kale
This food has the highest dose of zeaxanthin. It is basically similar to cabbage and is in the same family as lovely brussel sprouts and broccoli. Yea, I know not too many people like them.
By not cooking the vegetable more of the nutrients remain. When kale is cooked they receive less of this nutrient. Another fun fact is that when kale is frozen before it’s cooked it receives more nutrients as well.
Chard
This is the next food with the highest dose of zeaxanthin. If you are unfamiliar with the food than you’re not alone. It basically looks like a beat and is in the same family as spinach. Also eating it raw is a much better way to consume it rather than cooking it.
Spinach
Yes Popeye’s favorite food is next on the list. I actually love spinach and my favorite way to consume it is by frying it with feta cheese and cottage cheese then adding some onions. Also throwing it on a grilled cheese sandwich is great and eating it raw if you can will get you the full effects of the nutrients followed by cooked and finally eating it out of a can.
Turnips
This vegetable is a root vegetable and the above ground leaves contain a bunch of lutein which is a great nutrient that is very similar to zeaxanthin. Below the ground the root also contains calcium and vitamin a,c,k.
Mustard Greens
In a nutshell they are the leaves of the Brassica juncea plant. This is similar to the plant that produces mustard seeds that when grinded up created mustard. I have not eaten mustard greens, however I have heard that they taste very similar to mustard itself, which is predictable. Also fresh raw is best followed by cooked then frozen and lastly is canned.
Basil and Parsley
Basil comes from the Greek word basileus and that means king. I use this spice a lot with cooking and it is great. Parley is another spice used for cooking and there are some health warnings with it.
Parsley should not be consumed in large amounts and should not be used by pregnant woman.
Squash/zucchini
Squash is probably one of my least favorite foods. However in certain recipes when combined with other ingredients I’m sure tastes ok I just haven’t found one yet.
Zucchini on the other hand I love. If I eat it by itself I enjoy frying it with some garlic and the awesome basil spice. Another thing the skins have a ton of Zeaxanthin in them.
I really just scratched the surface of all the zeaxanthin sources that are in foods. After all this list contains the foods that have the highest potency of this nutrient so by consuming them you will receive the best bang for your buck.
The next way to consume this mineral is with a supplement. This is the way that I consume the nutrient on a daily basis. The main reason is because that way if I hang out all day with my friends and they all want to eat pizza I don’t have to hold them all hostage by stopping at a store to pick up some raw kale as they all look at me like I’m a total fruitcake.
By taking a supplement you’re guaranteed to get the required amount of this nutrient into your diet when you need it as long as you remember to take it.
However it is important to know that not all supplements are always safe and in some situations they can be harmful. For example the supplement industry is not regulated like prescription drugs.
Do you ever wonder why prescription drugs have negative side effects listed while herbal supplements do not? It’s because by law herbal supplements don’t have to list negative effects even if there is a whole bunch. The best way to protect yourself is to get educated about the industry. I recommend viewing my FREE eBook by clicking on herbal supplement guide.